SENATOR Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an opinion clarifying the jurisdiction of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) over private foreign vessels.
The request was made during the hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
Based on the transcript of the past hearing on the seizure of 1.4 tons of shabu in Alitagtag, Batangas, a representative of the PCG said that they cannot act independently and do not have jurisdiction over foreign private yachts due to the MARINA circular.
Sen. Tolentino, also a lawyer, explained that the mandate of the PCG is derived from RA 9993 (Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009) and cannot be disregarded by a mere circular.
Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez concurred with Sen. Tolentino’s position, clarifying that the mandate of MARINA is limited to registration and administration of vessels.
The PCG, as a law enforcement authority, still retains the power to inspect private foreign vessels.
Meanwhile, Sen. Tolentino has requested to include Senate Bill 2265 or The Philippines Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act in the committee report, along with the DOJ opinion.
He further stressed the need for an enabling law to define the archipelagic sea lanes of our territorial waters.
